Attractive, fashionable outfits for under $20 head to toe - Part Two

Friday, June 28, 2013

Here is the second installment of outfits that I put together for under $20 each.

This is one of my teen daughter's favourite outfits for me. In fact, she asked that I wear this top, skirt and tights to her grade eight graduation ceremony earlier this week. She feels the neckline on this top is very flattering. It is such a nice feeling when your thirteen year old girl is proud of you! I wore different shoes and accessories.

The top was only $2.80 after my 30% off coupon at Value Village. The necklace was 33 cents, one of several pieces I picked up at a garage sale for that price a few weekends ago. The skirt is a hand me down. The hose are the pair that I bought for $1.99 from Value Village, which were new in the package.

The $5 wedge sandals from Suzy Shier are making another appearance. I wear them a lot because they are so comfortable and easy to walk in. The red Liz Claiborne purse was $4.20 at Value Village after my 30% discount. The black magnetic bracelet and the silver link bracelet were $1 and 50 cents respectively at different garage sales. I paid $2.50 at an Additionelle clearance, for the ring.

The final total of this outfit, clothes, shoes and accessories...$18.32.

I have had the skirt seen in the next photo for a few years now. I love the colours in it and the way it falls. I paid $4.99 for it at Value Village. The tank top was also from Value Village and was purchased for $1.99. Those were regular prices for both items, but they were very well priced I think, so I didn't mind not getting any discount.

The sandals also came to me via Value Village, and were $5.99. You can't really tell from the picture, but the shoes have two shades of blue that match the blues in the skirt. It's like it was Fate, lol!

The ankle bracelet, from a garage sale, was $1. You can't really see them, but I am wearing two toe rings, which I bought from two different garage sales, for $1 each. The necklace and ring came from two different garage sales and cost $1 a piece. I have had the necklace for a few years now.

There's that black purse again! Yes...it was 25 cents from a garage sale. The total price that I paid for this 'summertime blues' outfit was $18.22.

This brown skirt was a hand me down. The brown tank top was $2.99 from Value Village. The orange leather belt came from a local dress boutique. They had it on clearance for $5. The shoes are the ones pictured above, bought for $5.99 from Value Village.

The necklace came from a garage sale several years ago and I paid 50 cents for it. The earrings and the orange bracelet are from kijiji and were $1 each. The two gold bracelets came from my recent garage sale jewelry bonanza and were 33 cents each.

The purse was free. I traded a Walter Campbell winter scene that I was just going to donate, for it. I told you I had other purses, lol! The total of this cute outfit was $17.14. 

I love this next dress. They say that you should avoid horizontal stripes because they invariably make you look too wide, which is not the silhouette most of us are going for! I don't know if it is because the stripes are fairly narrow, or because I am quite tall (5' 10") but I think I can carry it off. I bought the dress with a 30% off coupon, and ended up paying $9.09 for it.

The shoes were $5 from the Suzy Shier outlet. The ring and bracelet came from the same garage sale and were $1 and 50 cents respectively. The earrings were 33 cents.

That makes the total for this outfit $15.93. I have a variety of purses that I could add to it, all keeping the final price well under $20.

Here is the same dress which I had mentioned was bought for $9.09 at Value Village. The blue cardigan came from the same place. I paid $4.20 for it after using a 30% off coupon. The gold gladiator sandals were a Value Village 50% off day bargain at $3. The purse was $1 from a garage sale. And it's not black!

The earrings were part of my 33 cent jewelry score at a recent garage sale. The three gold bracelets were $1 for the set from the same garage sale. A rare Sunday sale the following day yielded the ring for $1.

The final cost of this outfit...which I think looks rather chic...was $19.62.

For the cost of a moderately priced bottle of wine, I have several different outfits to choose from. And remember that my total monetary outlay was not the total of the price of all outfits added together. Many pieces moonlighted to work with other outfits. So $50 or $60 spent might create six or seven different outfits which each price out individually at under $20 total.

I should do a future blog post on just that thing. The total spent on multiple pieces and then show how many outfits I can make utilizing them, and break down what each outfit itself cost. What do you think?

Nifty, thrifty and (almost) fifty,

Cathy

Attractive, fashionable outfits for under $20 head to toe - Part One

Friday, June 28, 2013

I am going to split this post into two parts, because I have several different outfits I would like to share, and do not want to create one ultra long posting that takes forever to scroll through.

The first outfit is wash and wear. I love easy care clothing! The earrings were $2.50 from Additionelle on clearance. The ring was also from the same sale, same price. The top was a Value Village find for $5.99.

I often try to follow the rules of Stacey and Clinton from TLC's 'What Not to Wear'. And here I went with something that is fitted under the bodice, to emphasize a narrower part of the body. The skirt was a hand me down that sees A LOT of wear.

The hose, bought new in package from Value Village, cost $1.99. Black hose always make the legs look slimmer! The shoes were $5 from the Suzy Shier outlet. The bag came from a garage sale and is perhaps the best 25 cents I have ever spent in my life. The bracelet was a gift.

Total cost of the first outfit, $18.23.



The next outfit features a dress that I think has a retro vintage flair with its large floral print. It was purchased from Value Village on 50% off day, for $5. The hose are the same as above, $1.99. The red shoes with the silver stilleto heels are another acquisition from the Suzy Shier outlet. They were priced at only $5.

The Liz Claiborne purse ended up costing me $4.20 from Value Village after my 30% off coupon. The earrings were from the clearance at Additionelle and were, as you probably guessed, $2.50. The bracelet was agan a gift. Total cost of this outfit was only $18.69.

I wear a lot of dresses and skirts in the summertime. I like the comfort and easy of care of maxi dresses like the one pictured here. It came from Value Village. The tone on tone pattern gives it some visual interest, but is still subtle. It was $5 when purchased on 50% off day.

These are the same black shoes from Suzy Shier as pictured with the first outfit. $5. The ankle bracelet is magnetic, and can also be used as a necklace or a bracelet. I picked it up last year from a garage sale, for $1.

The ring and bracelet combination is rather unique, I think, and has an exotic flair. I found it on kijiji, and purchased it with several other items. Bundling things brought its price to $1. The earrings were also $1 and came from the same kijiji seller.

Surprise, surprise, there is the black purse again! As you know by now, 25 cents for that little gem. The genuine leather belt was 50 cents. I have never had a belt to wear low on the hip before, but I quite like it. The necklace was a gift.

Total cost of this outfit...$13.75!

I paid more for the purple top that I am wearing with this next outfit than I would normally pay at a thrift store. It was $7.99 at Value Village. Regular price. No 30% off coupon! No 50% off day! But I love royal purple and have always felt this colour looks good on me. And I had been looking for just the right top in that shade for some time. So, knowing that it was highly unlikely the top would remain there til I had a coupon, or til half off day rolled around, I bought it. And I am glad that I did.

The earrings were $2.50 from the Additionelle clearance. The skirt was that free hand me down. The hose are the same ones purchased from Value Village for $1.99. And the shoes bought for $5 from Suzy Shier are again making their appearance. It extends your budget even more to have versatile pieces that go with a variety of outfits.

Here is the black bag...AGAIN! You'd think I didn't have any other purses, lol, but I do, and switch them out frequently. It just happened to be hogging the spotlight for today's post. The total for this outfit was $17.73.

I don't think that any of these outfits scream 'second hand rejects' or 'thrift store'. I think they are all quite presentable. Many of the pieces appear as new and at most were only very gently worn. I never feel as though I am 'settling' with my wardrobe in an effort to save money.

I shop at the places I do because it is fun for me. I consider it a hobby. I won't deny that the savings are a help with the budget. But I enjoy wearing the clothes that I have. And I think the outfits I put together are attractive and fashionable. Knowing they cost me less than $20 from head to toe just puts a little extra spring in my step!

Nifty, thrifty and (almost) fifty,

Cathy



Where do I find thrifted items to put together my wardrobe?

Friday, June 28, 2013

In my next post, I will showcase some more of the outfits that I have put together from totally thrifted sources. Where do the clothes, shoes, and accessories come from? The more obvious sources for clothes and accessories were thrift stores and garage sales.

While I do not personally use them for the most part, some people have great success at consignment stores. Prices are generally higher than thrift store pricing, but the selection tends to more high end. For someone who is a professional especially, or is looking for a special piece for an important event, consignment stores are often just the place to shop.

There is still a significant savings over retail pricing. And consignment stores usually spend more time checking things like zippers and buttons, looking for stains, checking for wear, etc. than employees at a more high volume thrift store have the time to do.

Sometimes you can even find pieces that rival the thrift store in pricing. Especially now when thrift stores are starting to differentiate between every day clothing items and accessories and some of the more prestigious brands or high end designer pieces, and have adjusted their pricing accordingly.

Don't forget hand me downs from others. Friends and family members often have items to give away. Or you can trade or borrow jewelry, purses, or even shoes or clothes, if you happen to wear the same size. It's a way to give your wardrobe a boost and some variety without having to spend a cent.

And don't forget freecycle. Some people cannot be bothered to host a garage sale, or do not want to make a trip to the thrift store drop off location. They are happy to give away good second hand items to others who can use and appreciate them. For many, it's not about making money, but about keeping usable things out of the dumps, and being 'greener'. They will access needed and wanted things themselves on freecycle, and are happy to give back when they can.

Freecycle can be a source for many things, not just items for the wardrobe. You might consider joining a local community and to be part of the give and take. Picking up things you need and giving new life to those you don't.

I personally have used freecycle both to donate and to accept items. As it happens, our cat, Bobby, came to us via freecycle. His owner was moving and could not take him with her and was looking for a new home for him.

I will digress for a moment, for a PSA. Pet advocacy groups will recommend not rehoming a pet for 'free' because it could result in people picking one up on impulse and not really being committed to caring for it. Or you might find people who do not have the financial resources to take on all of a pet's care needs taking a pet because there is no initial cost. And in some parts of the continent, unscrupulous people will take 'free' pets and then sell them to labratories, or use them in illegal dog fight training.

Bobby's experience was positive though and he has been a cherished member of our family for over 6 years now. Here is my handsome boy.

While shipping costs are often prohibitive, ebay can also be a source for specific clothes or accessories. When my son was in his Thomas the Tank Engine phase, I found a wonderful sweater for him on ebay. Even with shipping it was far less than purchasing one in a local retail shop.

And when my daughter was crazy about Blues Clues, I found a seller who had some adorable outfits, clothing items that were not even sold here, for a very reasonable price. Both children got lots of wear out of what became very special wardrobe pieces. And I still have them safely packed away as childhood momentos.

So if there is a special brand of shoes you are looking for, or a purse you saw in a magazine and just have to have, it can be worthwhile sometimes to just browse ebay and see what is being offered, and for how much. Sometimes you might be pleasantly surprised.

Finally, being thrifty doesn't always have to mean 'second hand'. Some people shop retail clearance sales exclusively. They do not like the idea of 'used', or have never had much luck with second hand, and have become quite proficient at putting together great wardrobes at a fraction of the regular retail prices.

I do not normally shop retail, though there are a couple of outlet stores that I hit fairly regularly. Bluenotes is a favourite for jeans and tops for my teen daughter and son. I have a love affair with the Suzy Shier outlet that is located next door to it. They always have shoes on for great clearance prices, often less than Value Village. The last time I was there, they had earrings for $1.

And a couple of years ago I popped into an Additionelle store on a whim and found that they were clearancing their jewelry. I picked up several large, chunky rings...something I had been searching for unsuccessfully at garage sales all that season...for only $2.50 each.

So don't forget outlet stores and potential clearance sales at retail stores whose merchandise you tend to like. I am not a 'mall' person and you will not find me there shopping recreationally. It is not my 'thing'. I find that you have to make multiple trips to find something whereas at the thrift store I am successful at each outing.

But if you do like the mall, or have to be there for some other reason, even if you are committed to shopping on a budget, or tend to be more frugal like me, there 'are' deals to be found. And it never hurts to take a look.

Happy thrifting!

Nifty, thrifty and (almost) fifty,

Cathy

Cute thrifted (complete) outfits for $10 or less?! YES!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Cute, thrifted outfits, complete from head to toe, for $10 or less? Impossible you say? Not for a dedicated garage sale and thrift store shopper!

I thought that I would share some of the outfits that I have put together using a combination of hand me downs, garage sale finds, and thrift store scores that cost me less than the price of a pair of cheap shoes at some bargain basement retail store. I know that taste is a personal thing, but I think that each outfit is something I can be proud to wear in public. And I guarantee that no one has any idea of how much (or how little, as it turns out) I paid for each one.

This first outfit is centred around a dress that has a style and colours that I love, and which was free to me as a hand me down. It came from Value Village prior to that, where it was purchased for $9.99, a bargain even at that price.

I kept this outfit simple, adding just a pair of bright yellow heels which were acquired from a garage sale for $2, and a pair of earrings that I bought at another sale for $1. So, total cost of this outfit...$3! I could add my choice of purses, bought for between $1-$2, and additional jewelry, bought for between 33 cents and $1, still keeping my final total well below the $10 mark.

The next outfit was a whopping $1.50! You can't buy a cup of coffee at many places for that price! The black skirt was another hand me down. Before me, it came from Value Village, just like the blue dress, where it was priced for around $5. The mushroom coloured top was purchased from a garage sale a couple of weekends ago for $1. It is also pictured in a recent blog post about finds from that weekend.

The black sandals were 50 cents from a garage sale I went to late this past spring. I could accessorize this with the black purse that I bought that same day for 25 cents or with any number of purses on which I have spent $5 or less. And I could add any one, or more, of the number of pieces of jewlery I bought for 33 cents from the garage sale coup discussed in an earlier blog post. Again, keeping the head to toe outfit priced well below $10. I cropped off my head here due to a 'bad hair day'.

The third outfit includes purse and accessories. The fitted tee came from a sale where you were encouraged to fill a plastic grocery bag for $2. I took all of the t-shirts in my size; eight of them. Two I ended up not liking and donated to the thrift store. So the remaining six priced out for 33 cents a piece.

The black skirt with the lacey overlay...which I think is so pretty and feminine...was purchased from Value Village for $4. The sandals are the same as pictured above, costing 50 cents. The purse was a garage sale bargain at 25 cents. It actually had never been used and still had the retail price tag on it, of $35.

The ring was one of several which I purchased a couple of years ago from Additionelle when they were having a clearance on jewelry. I paid $2.50 for it. The earrings came from kijiji and I paid $1 for those. The ankle bracelet was 50 cents at a garage sale a couple of years ago.

It is actually a necklace. I love ankle bracelets but they are hard to find at garage sales, so I will often buy necklaces and wrap them to use instead. A little tip in case you want to try it! The gold necklace was a gift.

Total cost of this completely accessorized outfit...$9.08!

The final outfit for today features a faux wrap dress in versatile neutrals. The dress was a Value Village find, bought on 50% off day for $6.50. The shoes are the yellow heels from the first photo, which were $2. The earrings were $1 from a seller on kijiji. Which makes the final total for this outfit $9.50. I could add the 25 cent black purse to bring that total up to $9.75 for a complete outfit for under $10. And one that I can hold my head up wearing out and about town.

So, for little more than the price of a Big Mac meal at McDonalds...and sometimes for even less...you CAN put together a head to toe outfit, including shoes, purse and accessories. All it takes is a little time, some luck, and the love of...or at least an interest in...thrifting!

Nifty, thrifty and (almost) fifty,

Cathy

Sale days at the thrift stores

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

This past weekend I was fortunate to spend a couple of days with my sister. We did not go to any garage sales, but we did get out to a couple of her local thrift stores.

Saturday afternoon we hit the Talize. A sign on the door announced that it was 50% off purple tag items that day. I have determined that I will no longer buy things just because they are inexpensive or on sale. I will only buy things that I actually like and which I think look nice on me. It's not a 'deal' if you don't feel good wearing something, even if it was free.

So I wasn't specifically seeking out purple tag items. As it happens though, the thrift store gods were smiling down on me and all but one item that I picked out and wanted to buy did indeed have a purple tag.

I was looking for some capris and found two nice pairs from Reitmans. One pair, a cheerful lime green colour, were priced at $9.99, but half price. Another, also from Reitmans, but a versatile brown, were marked $7.99 and also half price.

I found a sleeveless black and white knit top marked $4.99, with a coveted purple price tag, so it ended up being $2.50. I did pay the full price of $1.99 for a 'Jessica' brand tank top in a pale peach colour.

My favourite find at Talize was a pair of purple high heeled sling backs. They are one of the highest heeled shoes I own, but their design makes them easy to walk in. I have only recently been wearing heels with any real height to them, and am still mastering the art of looking balanced and graceful. I love how heels look though.

And now that I am almost fifty, even though I am 5' 10", I no longer care if wearing a pair of heels makes me not only the tallest woman, but often the tallest person, in a room.

The following day we visited Value Village. It was 50% off day for card members. Naturally, I am a proud Value Village card member! I did not find the selection in this particular Value Village to be anywhere near as varied as that of my local store. I did manage to find a short, denim skirt priced at $3.99, ringing up for $2 after my discount, which was something I had not been able to find at my Value Village.

A faux wrap around top in bright hues of orange, and turquoise, with black and gold, caught my eye. It was priced for $7.99, $4 after the discount. 

I also found a fuschia coloured light sweater with three quarter length sleeves, priced at $5.99, purchased for $3.

I was particularly pleased to have found a hat which was the exact style I had been looking for since seeing one in a nearby dress shop. The hat I had looked at in the retail shop was $19.99. 

I might have splurged, because on occasion I do for something I really want, but I was not too keen on the colours. It was a floppy fabric hat with a wide brim, and I liked how it looked on me. And I thought the wide brim would be great for keeping the sun out of my eyes and away from my rosacea plagued skin.

I have been on the lookout for one ever since. As I was standing in line waiting to use the change room, I saw a display on a nearby wall and a hat which looked, at least from a distance, as though it might be just what I was looking for.

Naturally, as I stood there holding my place in line, another woman picked it up and put it on her head. Thankfully, she decided it did not suit her. But once I had finished with the change rooms, I went back to the hat. It was exactly the style I had wanted. I am not really a 'hat' person, I do not usually wear them, and often think they look out of place on me. But this one was, I thought, just right!

I conferred with my sister, who is always honest with me, and decided that it was 'the' hat and added it to my purchases. It was priced at $6.99 so was only $3.50 after the discount. With the thin black and white stripes encircling it, it will go with anything.

Thrift stores are generally pricier than garage sales, of course. But you can find some great deals, especially on sale days. And naturally the selection is much better. I love both, for different reasons. If you happen to go and see something you like though, you had better buy it then and there. Because almost everything is a 'one of' and odds are it will not be there later if you decide to go back for it!

Nifty, thrifty and (almost) fifty,

Cathy

Loads of accessories!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

I am finally getting a chance to share photos of some of the accessories that I picked up on June 15th when I last went garage saling. In addition to finding the leather jacket and skirt, and the cute summery dress, I managed to pick up some nice pieces to co-ordinate with existing outfits.

At one sale, I found two scarves, and a pair of long, white knit gloves for a quarter a piece. The gloves happen to go nicely with the off-white leather jacket. And they are not too thick or heavy, so will be great for keeping a fall chill at bay.

It was a banner day for purses. I came across a cute red Nine West purse at a sale where I also picked up a pair of blue Etnies. I paid $5 for both items, which were the tagged prices. She was asking $3 for the purse and $2 for the shoes. There was also a top I was interested in priced for $3. I tried to negotiate, but she was not flexible.

I was iffy on the top, unsure whether it would fit, so I put that back. But since I really wanted both the purse and shoes, and they were in great condition, I paid full price.  I already have a red purse, but not 'this' shade of red. So obviously I needed this one too!

Another sale had some Star Wars novels that I picked up for my son, for fifty cents a piece. Then I spied some purses on the ground. The brown and blue shades were both voids in my wardrobe, and I liked the styles of each, so I gathered those as well. They wanted $2 each for the purses, but I offered $1 each and they accepted.

My last find of the day was a pair of pink low rise sneakers. The seller had bought them from Value Village, as it so happens. They still had the price tag of $9.99 inside one shoe. They were asking $1, which I happily paid.

I had also picked up the sunglasses at an earlier sale in the day for fifty cents. And the grey-brown coloured top set me back $1. I really like the shirring on the sleeves.

All in all it was a good haul. Especially since there really hadn't been too many sales that day.

I did not get out to any garage sales this past weekend, but did find my way to a couple of thrift stores, so that post will follow.

Nifty, thrifty and (almost) fifty,

Cathy

'Steal' of a deal on leather!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Last Saturday was another situation where I found quality over quantity in terms of the actual number of garage sales in the local area. I had thought there would be far more, as June is usually the prime month for garage sales. While the sales were not plentiful, I did very well, however.

My scoop of the day came at the second sale that I hit. I found a Danier off-white leather jacket, a Danier red leather skirt, a Sears 'Jessica' brand dress (I love their stuff!), a fall/winter purse, and a wallet. I almost didn't pick up the leather items, because I assumed they'd be over my budget. But then I figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

When the seller told me $10 for everything, I was stunned. I had assumed the jacket alone would be at least five times that much (at which point it would have gone back on the hanger). I offered $8, just an automatic response in my surprise, which I would not normally do when things are priced that cheaply.

She said that she really wanted $10, since they were doing a fundraiser for cancer research. I hadn't realized that and said I'd happily pay the $10. I took my buys back to the van and set them on the back seat, then as I climbed in I realized another organizer was pointing to me and thinking I hadn't paid. She thought I was a thief! I was rather embarrassed, as the other seller assured her I had indeed paid. I know people do steal things from garage sales, sadly.

The funny thing is that earlier at that same sale, I had purchased sunglasses and a pair of earrings from the woman who thought I was stealing. I had waited patiently for her to finish with another customer then paid for my items. You'd think that if I was a thief, I would just have easily tucked those items into my purse while she was preoccupied with someone else. Knowing I had already paid her, I'm surprised she then thought I was trying to make off with an armload!

I did get some other great buys during the rest of the morning, which I will elaborate on and share photos of in the next day or two. Today I just wanted to share the two outfits that I bought from this sale. I will usually post full length photos, but cropped off my head here. Bad hair day!

The first is the Jessica dress. I have it paired here with the Guess purse I bought the previous weekend for $2, and a pair of gold gladiator sandals that were purchased from Value Village earlier in the spring for $3 (50% off day). I am also wearing three gold bracelets that I bought from the sale that had the fabulous jewelry buys and for which I paid $1. So...total outfit cost $8!

The second ensemble features the Danier leather jacket and skirt. I added a fitted tee, also from a garage sale, that I paid 33 cents for, black hose that I paid $1.99 for from Value Village (new in package), black ankle boots that were a half off sale at Value Village for $5, and a Nine West purse that I picked up this past Saturday for $3. Total cost of this outfit...$16.32!

The heat of summer is the perfect time to be looking for fall and winter items. People don't even want to 'look' at such pieces...sellers and buyers alike...after months of cold weather. They are happy to be wearing shorts and tank tops and the thought of heavy sweaters, or leather, is unpalatable to most people. So for those who can psyche themselves up for it, don't forget to look for things for your fall and winter wardrobe as well!

Nifty, thrifty and (almost) fifty,

Cathy

Costume jewelry pieces 3/$1??!! SCORE!

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013

Here are additional photos of some of the jewelry pieces that I found when garage saling last Saturday. I just love them, and think that they are so very pretty. Such a fabulous bargain, too. I hope the seller knows how much I appreciate the deals and how much I will enjoy these items.

The 'LOVE' ring is a toe ring, and the small pink stone in the 'o' sparkles beautifully when I am wearing it.

The aquamarine and silvertone asymmetrical drop pendant and earrings are a couple of my favourite pieces of those recently purchased. The colour is so clear and so beautiful. And it will compliment quite a few different outfits and colour combinations.

The necklace with the silvertone infinity symbol is a sentimental favourite. My ethnic heritage is Metis, one of Canada's Native Peoples, and this is their symbol and appears on the Metis flag.

The turquoise and silvertone circular pendant and earrings I thought were reminiscent of dreamcatchers.

There are a few more pieces that I have yet to photograph and share. But I thought I would post these in the interim. You can click on the individual photos to see them enlarged, if you choose.

Thanks and take care.

Nifty, thrifty and (almost) fifty,

Cathy

Today I join the world of blogging...

Monday, June 10, 2013

For my first blog post I thought that I would write about my fabulous finds at the garage sales that I attended this past weekend. A small community nearby was advertising a town-wide garage sale. 

The previous weekend I had attended another, larger, annual town-wide sale where I usually find lots of amazing deals on things I just have to have. But that one had actually ended up being not as wonderful as recent years and I had left disappointed, with the van far from overflowing with anticipated goodies.

After purging my closet and dresser drawers last month and donating bags of things to the local thrift store, I have been on the search for clothing, footwear and accessories this season. And, as always, I am seeking vintage camera lenses, props to use in my photography, photo frames, and vintage books and toys from my childhood. Since the last sale was a bit of a bust, I had high hopes for this next one.

On arrival just after 7 a.m. Saturday, we drove through the lovely, scenic streets and past beautiful homes, with nary a garage sale in sight. Finally we spotted one sign, followed it in, and found an empty driveway and no one around. Eventually we came upon a small side street with one sale that had a couple of tables set up.

Another woman was just leaving, empty-handed. I walked up to the first table and to my delight there were quite a few pieces of jewelry. Rings, earrings, and necklaces were nicely arranged in a ring tray or in small baggies. As I reached for the first ring to catch my eye, the woman seller said, "Everything on that table is three for one dollar."

Three for one dollar? A glance at the table noted a small sign that verified that price. I held up the pretty silver ring with the purple stone. It was clearly sterling silver. "Even this one?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yes. I just want to get rid of them. Whatever doesn't sell is going to the thrift store. There are even some sterling silver pieces."

I could not believe my good fortune! I tried on the ring, then reached for other smaller ones that I hoped might be toe rings. Yes! I love wearing toe rings in the summer; I find them so pretty and feminine. There were four of them and all were sterling silver. A couple could use a bit of a polish with silver cleaner, but I don't mind the extra bit of effort at that price.

Then I moved on to the necklaces and earrings. It did not take long for my hands to get full. The woman kindly gave me a small bag so my hands would be free. I marvelled at what wonderful condition most of the pieces were in. Some of the earrings were set in sterling silver. Some of the pieces were Avon, and I wondered whether she had sold the products at one time, or was just a fan like me.

We chatted a bit as I browsed and filled my little bag. She was such a nice lady! Friendly, warm and genuine. I only took the pieces that really appealed to me and resisted the temptation to just take 'everything' since it was so inexpensive. After The Purge, I decided that I will only buy, wear and keep things that I really like and think look nice on me. 

My style of jewelry is big and chunky. At 5'10", with a large frame, tiny delicate pieces just get lost on me. But I feel I can carry off the larger statement pieces that I love.

At the end of the table was a box of nail polishes, most of those Avon as well. And, it appeared, never even used. I already have a myriad of nail polishes, but could not resist picking up four in colours that I do not currently have.

As I shopped...enjoying that I was the only one at that sale for the time being and therefore not feeling that I had to rush before someone else snatched up 'my' stuff...she asked whether or not I had a dog. As it happens, I have three. A German Shepherd and two Shih Tzus. She mentioned that she had a bag of veterinary quality dog food that she was selling for $3. That is about one tenth of its price at the vet's office.

She explained that her dog had died recently. Since my Shepherd, Skylar, has allergies, I told her that I'd take the food as well, and offered my condolences for her loss. As a lover of all things fur-bearing, and the owner of three cats in addition to the three dogs, I know how our animals touch our lives and hold a place in our hearts and how their passing leaves a void.

I had not thought to count how many items I was picking up as I filled the bag, so once I was done shopping I started to take them out in groups of three. Once I got to $7 worth, she said $10 would be fine for everything, including the dog food. There were still quite a few pieces of jewelry left uncounted. 

I happily paid the price, we bid one another a good day and I wished her success on her sale, then I took my treasures back to the van. Once there, my husband pointed out the large Everlast exercise ball that I had overlooked while fixated on the jewelry. My daughter had mentioned she might like one. So I hopped back out and paid the $1 for that.

The next sale that we came across was at a beautiful property with a small brook running from beside the house down the length of the driveway. A well-established perennial garden greeted me. There was only one item that I wanted here, but it is an amazing piece. 

For $2 I bought a handmade, vintage snakeskin purse with leather interior. It is the size of a clutch, with a thin braided strap. I should say here that I would not buy something new made from snakeskin or fur (but I do eat meat and use leather products so I'm not taking any moral high ground, just stating my personal choices).

Not that you can get new products made out of snakeskin here in Canada, they are illegal to import now. I feel differently about vintage items, however. The 'damage', as it were, is long done. It was a different time and people's attitudes, and our laws, were different. 

Rather than simply throw such pieces in the trash, I have no issues with someone wearing their grandmother's fur, for example. I think that such items have a nostalgia about them that appeals to me. They are a link to our past, and for me they also serve as a reminder of how times change.

There was one more sale in this lovely small town that I was again thrilled to come across. As soon as I got out of the van, I spotted the turquoise purse that I had been keeping my eyes open for for some time. The shimmery blue colour was perfect. Closer inspection showed it to be a Guess brand purse, to my consternation. 

Past experience had shown that anything 'name brand' would usually have an asking price far above what I was comfortable paying for a second hand item from a garage sale. I picked it up anyways, along with a lovely seafoam green purse.

Then I spotted the shoes. Happily, they were my size. One pair caught my eye first. A pair of brown strappy heels from Le Chateau. The original price sticker of $99.99 was still on the bottom, and obviously they had seen no wear as there were no scuff marks on the soles whatsoever. 

I was skeptical as to what the asking price might be, but gathered them up as well along with a pair of pink canvas wedges. The final addition to my armload was a pair of charcoal grey dress pants from Suzy Shier.

Ready to be met with disappointment, I asked the seller how much she wanted for everything. I figured the Guess purse alone would be out of my price range. When she said, "Ten dollars for everything," I just stared at her. 

When she amended, "Oh, just give me eight dollars," with a wave of her hand, I could have done a happy dance right then and there. The money was out of my wallet and in her hands before you could say 'I love garage sales!'.

There were a couple more sales, but nothing that tempted me, so we headed back home to hit a few sales there. My only find was a black Club Monaco ribbed turtleneck, until the final one at a church just outside of our town. I always have high hopes for church garage sales. They usually have great prices and lots of clothes. 

I could not even find the clothes at first. But I did spot a box of dinnerware that warranted a second look. The colours and pattern were quite pretty, and they felt well made. I flipped over a mug to read that they were Pfalzgraff. I knew from the name that they would be of good quality, and would retail for more than your average stoneware set. They were marked $5 for the box. 

I do not haggle at church sales. My husband paid for them and took them back to the van. Looking them up on the internet later, I would find that they retail here in Canada for $80 for a four piece place setting for four. I had six complete sets, with a seventh mug and bowl, and eight luncheon and dinner plates. The pattern is called 'Sefton Park'.

I eventually found the meager offering of clothes. Either someone had gotten there way ahead of me, or there hadn't been many to begin with. A pair of black, lightweight dress pants, a short-sleeved, pale pink blouse, and a red v-neck cardigan set me back thirty cents in total.

I had thought my garage saling adventures were over for the day, but a bit later while coming home from the grocery store, we stopped at one last sale where I bought one toe ring and four other rings, for $5.

I thought that the day's success story would make a good first post for my new blog. I have begun taking photos of the pieces that I bought and will post the first of them today, with more to follow in the next day or so. 

Oh, and in keeping with the vein of my blog, while I did use my Canon 50D DSLR camera (which happens to be pre-owned), the lens I used to take the photos is a vintage, Russian made, manual focus lens. I picked up my Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 M42 lens for $20 a few years ago at a local flea market. It even had an old Zenit camera attached to it. 

To get some of the close-ups, I used extension tubes, bought from ebay for $10. I like to be frugal when it comes to my photography as well, and using old lenses appeals to that nostalgic side I had mentioned earlier.

I have no idea whether this blog, or my treasures, or the ways I find to be thrifty in my everyday life, will be of interest to anyone but me, lol. But I have had fun starting it up and enjoyed sharing. And I look forward to continuing to do so.

Nifty, thrifty and (almost) fifty,

Cathy